How long can Emily be pregnant?

OK ladies and gents, place your bets here...

Yesterday (December 7th) was my due date and so far we have absolutely no signs of labor. I feel like I could be pregnant for another year...

I do NOT want to be induced, but my baby is already measuring about 3.6 kg and my doctors don't want him to get much bigger. Yes, I'm aware ultrasound measurements can be wrong, but they can also be right..gah - the stress!!!

I go to the doc again on Tuesday, then AGAIN on the Tuesday after that and if I have not delivered by then I think they will insist that I am induced.

Because I never had regular cycles I don't trust my due date so I feel better about letting him cook as long as he wants to, but on the other hand I don't want him to be a 20 pound butter ball whose shoulders have to be broken to get through the birth canal...nor do I want the placenta to start deteriorating.

In the meantime I'm cleaning the house (which is already clean but with two cats can never be clean enough) and tutoring one student 5 times a week for one hour/day...so I'm taking it easy which is nice.

What will the winner get? I want a trip to Egypt to see the pyramids and ride on a camel! I would bet Dec. 9th.

Em I had a caesarean and it was not bad at all. In case you need one, dont be afraid, baby and mom do just fine!

Best of luck and take it easy!

I think you should do what feels right, but at the same time listen to your doctors. You are right about not wanting the baby to get to big. I am hoping for you to have a quick and successful delivery!

A boy right? Boys are wonderful, I have one he is 11 this coming March:eek: He is the absolute joy of my life. Wishing you the best hun and Good Luck.

Wendy

I'm with Sheila, labor starts the 9th, Abdullah comes the 10th...
Em, really good thoughts coming your way!!!

What will the winner get? I want a trip to Egypt to see the pyramids and ride on a camel! I would bet Dec. 9th.

Em I had a caesarean and it was not bad at all. In case you need one, dont be afraid, baby and mom do just fine!

Best of luck and take it easy!

Thanks Sheila!

I'm not worried about a c-section at all - I'm much more worried about a vaginal delivery and not b/c of the pain but b/c it's so stressful on the baby.

I come from a family of doctors and nurses so surgeries and pain don't scare me...making sure my baby is healthy is all I care about!

And, wow December 9th??? That's tomorrow (in KSA)...that would be awesome!

My daughter was due on September 18. Each week went by and finally my doctor, who I trusted implicitly, said we needed to schedule a date for me to go in and be induced. By this time we were into October. He said he was going to call the hospital to see what day was good, and I said "It wouldn't surprise me if it's Friday, the 10th (that was my son's birthday). He came back and said "How 'bout the 10th?" I said "OK." It was about a week away. I went into labor on the 9th, went into the hospital on the 10th, and had a c-section. Both my children were born on October 10....Alan 1972 and Jessica 1986. Alan at 11:26PM and Jessica at 11:59AM. Alan's father is a Jew and Jessica's father was a Arab (born and raised in Syria).

I'm not sure why I went into all that, Em. But babies are born when they're ready....and sometimes even when they are they don't want to come out. LOL!

Sending you lots of love and prayers....you're going to have a beautiful, healthy, happy son.

You know, I am coming from a different perspective, working with horses and all, but I am really opposed to induction in general (although ther ARE times it is helpful, no doubt). Not only for the reasons you mentioned about your cycle and possible due date innacuracy, but also because it is unlikely (not impossible, so I know that "unlikely" term doesn't matter if you are one in the minority who did have a problem...) that your body would be THAT wrong about when it is time to deliver. Plus, with induction, cervical dilation is somewhat unpredicatable and labor tends to be signiifcantly longer and harder with induction.

What do women all over the world do every day...in remote societies, or before induction was possible? They had their babies when their bodies and the baby said it was time - not when it was convenient for a doctor or a patient etc. I know your case is not one of convenience - I am just on a soap box in general about "modern medicine's" attempt to micromanage and manipulate our bodies and our health to the point that we forget to listen to our own internal compass that tells us when something is wrong.

If your placenta is healthy and your cervix isn't dilated....I dunno - it sounds like he needs a little more time to cook.;)

We don't have the option to induce horses - for several reasons - and the normal gestation is about 330 days. But I have seen mares go over 365 days and have completely normal, appropriate sized foals. It's not a parallel per se, but if I think the medical community over does it much of the time and we are lost in the machine that IS modern medicine.

Windrushed and Zolie -

Thanks for the kind thoughts, it means a lot!

Zol I hope you and Sheila are right...my husband keeps going around singing Madonna "I'm gonna keep my baby" and then says "ok you made your point, you kept your baby long enough..it's time to let him out"...

Ok so it doesn't sound funny now that I typed it, but it is...

I want to defer to zolie on this one :P

I'm still personally opposed to micromanaging our health... :)

My daughter was due on September 18. Each week went by and finally my doctor, who I trusted implicitly, said we needed to schedule a date for me to go in and be induced. By this time we were into October. He said he was going to call the hospital to see what day was good, and I said "It wouldn't surprise me if it's Friday, the 10th (that was my son's birthday). He came back and said "How 'bout the 10th?" I said "OK." It was about a week away. I went into labor on the 9th, went into the hospital on the 10th, and had a c-section. Both my children were born on October 10....Alan 1972 and Jessica 1986. Alan at 11:26PM and Jessica at 11:59AM. Alan's father is a Jew and Jessica's father was a Arab (born and raised in Syria).

I'm not sure why I went into all that, Em. But babies are born when they're ready....and sometimes even when they are they don't want to come out. LOL!

Sending you lots of love and prayers....you're going to have a beautiful, healthy, happy son.

You're AWESOME Trish and your kids sound AWESOME too. Thanks for sharing your story (and scaring the crap out of me about being due in early Sept. and not having the baby until October..OMG!!!)...

I think it's so beautiful that one child has a Jewish dad and one has an Arab (Muslim?) dad...totally poetic. You should have named the half Arab baby Shalom and the half Jewish baby Salaam...(sorry, I couldn't resist!!!)

*huge hugs*

Windrushed and Zolie -

Thanks for the kind thoughts, it means a lot!

Zol I hope you and Sheila are right...my husband keeps going around singing Madonna "I'm gonna keep my baby" and then says "ok you made your point, you kept your baby long enough..it's time to let him out"...

Ok so it doesn't sound funny now that I typed it, but it is...

No its still funny...I hope you have the little one soon...

I think Epona is right, but it is also a balance... imagine if horses ate eclairs and sugar-filled soda and had gestational diabetes as some people do!!!

Of course none of this is Emily's case, so the hope is that everything is going to happen just the way it's supposed to!

First babies do like to marinate longer than the estimated 40 wks, but hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer :)

hey Em I know you're at the edn and all and just would like the baby out....but Im with Epo on this one....a ceasarean IS stressful on the baby and the mother......there is the whole issue of epidurals, bub not wanting to come etc....it really is an individual choice, but natural delivery, done properly does not have to be stressful on the baby and in fact is natural.

Of course compications etc can necessitate the need for emergency caesar but if you have midwife assisted natural delivery of a bonny healthy baby with a primi (first time) mum...well its too beautiful and not stressful on the bub....give it a go if you can....I had two 4kg babies born natural in water...no stitches, no tears, no stressed bubs....

You know, I am coming from a different perspective, working with horses and all, but I am really opposed to induction in general (although ther ARE times it is helpful, no doubt). Not only for the reasons you mentioned about your cycle and possible due date innacuracy, but also because it is unlikely (not impossible, so I know that "unlikely" term doesn't matter if you are one in the minority who did have a problem...) that your body would be THAT wrong about when it is time to deliver. Plus, with induction, cervical dilation is somewhat unpredicatable and labor tends to be signiifcantly longer and harder with induction.

What do women all over the world do every day...in remote societies, or before induction was possible? They had their babies when their bodies and the baby said it was time - not when it was convenient for a doctor or a patient etc. I know your case is not one of convenience - I am just on a soap box in general about "modern medicine's" attempt to micromanage and manipulate our bodies and our health to the point that we forget to listen to our own internal compass that tells us when something is wrong.

If your placenta is healthy and your cervix isn't dilated....I dunno - it sounds like he needs a little more time to cook.;)

We don't have the option to induce horses - for several reasons - and the normal gestation is about 330 days. But I have seen mares go over 365 days and have completely normal, appropriate sized foals. It's not a parallel per se, but if I think the medical community over does it much of the time and we are lost in the machine that IS modern medicine.

No babe, I agree with you 110% on this one. I think people have gone waaaaaaaaay overboard with inductions and c-sections. I am really, really praying that this baby comes on his own or that there is a medical (obviously one that does NOT harm the baby) reason for me to induce because I sooooooo do not want to be faced with the decision on my own.

I am just taking it day by day and letting the little guy cook as long as possible. My husband also agrees that he will come when he is ready and that we should leave him alone. My doctor (who I truly believe is a very good doctor) even suggested inducing me like a week and a half ago just so that he could deliver the baby before he went to London for a conference. When I told him that I thought that was nuts he basically agreed with me but said I'd be shocked about how many women are now demanding "convenience" births.

My grandmother's dermatologist had an unnecessary (!!!) c-section just so that she could be in control of her schedule. I find this kind of thing totally insane.

Anyway, as an avid, lifelong equestrian I know all about mares and their pregnancies (I think I've read "Blessed are the Brood Mares" about 9,000 times) - and yes, you're right...the foals come when they are darn well ready and usually end up being perfectly healthy.

No its still funny...I hope you have the little one soon...

Thank you, and I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that was funny!

I think Epona is right, but it is also a balance... imagine if horses ate eclairs and non-sugar soda and had gestational diabetes as some people do!!!

Of course none of this is Emily's case, so the hope is that everything is going to happen just the way it's supposed to!

*hides*...WELL, I don't have GD thank God, but I think they do know my name at Hardees now that I go every night and order my daily dose of "large chocolate milk shake please"...

I've gotten lazy with my eating habits lately which I'm ashamed to admit. I have not gained an ungodly amount of weight with this pregnancy - about 10 kilos...but, I am very guilty of eating too much sugar, I can not tell a lie. :(

Every time I drink a soda (I know, I know...I'm bad) my husband is like "ok, but don't say anything when your "newborn" is the size of a 3 year old and you miss the infant years"

You're AWESOME Trish and your kids sound AWESOME too. Thanks for sharing your story (and scaring the crap out of me about being due in early Sept. and not having the baby until October..OMG!!!)...

I think it's so beautiful that one child has a Jewish dad and one has an Arab (Muslim?) dad...totally poetic. You should have named the half Arab baby Shalom and the half Jewish baby Salaam...(sorry, I couldn't resist!!!)

*huge hugs*

My daughter's father was Roman Catholic, Em. Definitely a minority in Syria. My daughter is very proud of her Arab roots. I thought my children would solve the problems in the Middle East. Instead, they're just a normal brother and sister. I'm very blessed to have two wonderful children.

hey Em I know you're at the edn and all and just would like the baby out....but Im with Epo on this one....a ceasarean IS stressful on the baby and the mother......there is the whole issue of epidurals, bub not wanting to come etc....it really is an individual choice, but natural delivery, done properly does not have to be stressful on the baby and in fact is natural.

Of course compications etc can necessitate the need for emergency caesar but if you have midwife assisted natural delivery of a bonny healthy baby with a primi (first time) mum...well its too beautiful and not stressful on the bub....give it a go if you can....I had two 4kg babies born natural in water...no stitches, no tears, no stressed bubs....

I'm tryin' babe. I have no plans to have an unnecessary c-section. They are talking about trying to do a vaginal induction with pitocin and such...My docs are not the kind to just be lazy and divert to c-section at the moment a bump in the road appears, I will give them credit for that. I think it's because they are trying to avoid a c-section that they are also trying to get this baby delivered before he gets too big...I don't agree with induction with out medical necessity but I think my docs are feeling caught between a rock and a hard place.

With my family history of c-section I won't be shocked if I have to have one, but that's certainly not what I'm hoping or planning for!

*hides*...WELL, I don't have GD thank God, but I think they do know my name at Hardees now that I go every night and order my daily dose of "large chocolate milk shake please"...

I've gotten lazy with my eating habits lately which I'm ashamed to admit. I have not gained an ungodly amount of weight with this pregnancy - about 10 kilos...but, I am very guilty of eating too much sugar, I can not tell a lie. :(

Every time I drink a soda (I know, I know...I'm bad) my husband is like "ok, but don't say anything when your "newborn" is the size of a 3 year old and you miss the infant years"

I gained 12 pounds with Alan....he weighed 6lbs 10oz.
I gained 40 with Jess....she weighed 7lbs 9oz.

I laughed about what your husband said.....lol!

Oh, yeah....21 years later I'm still trying to lose that 40 pounds.... :rofl:

My daughter's father was Roman Catholic, Em. Definitely a minority in Syria. My daughter is very proud of her Arab roots. I thought my children would solve the problems in the Middle East. Instead, they're just a normal brother and sister. I'm very blessed to have two wonderful children.

Cool Trish!!! If you had said her dad was from Lebanon or Egypt I would not have assumed he was a Muslim, but the Christian community in Syria is very small.

I am glad that your daughter lovers her Arab roots, as she should! One of my best friends here is married to a Syrian and has five half American/half Syrian daughters...my mom's family doctor is also Syrian with half American/half Syrian kids. I'm sure your daughter is absolutely stunning, what a BEAUTIFUL combination - and I know how HOT you are so I can only imagine her!

And who knows, maybe your kids will bring "peace to the Middle East"...they're still young :bgrin2:

Don't beat yourself up about it, Em... I saw that adorable pic of you and you look absolutely petite so I wouldn't sweat it!

I gained 12 pounds with Alan....he weighed 6lbs 10oz.
I gained 40 with Jess....she weighed 7lbs 9oz.

I laughed about what your husband said.....lol!

Oh, yeah....21 years later I'm still trying to lose that 40 pounds.... :rofl:

Girlie, I STARTED out with extra "baby weight" BEFORE I got pregnant and this is my first pregnancy!!! :eek:

My c-section with my daughter was an emergency. My labor didn't progress and she went into distress. I don't think it had much to do with being overdue. My labor didn't progress with my son either. I delivered him vaginally but I think I should have had a c-section with him too. When he was born both his lungs were collapsed and he had an air pocket on his side.

I didn't deliver babies well. Thank God they're both healthy now and they were healthy children.

Don't worry, Em. You're going to have a healthy son.

Let's hope this is not what I'm "cookin' up" as I go over my due date:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_01/babyCAMERA_468x378.jpg

:eek::eek::eek:

Girlie, I STARTED out with extra "baby weight" BEFORE I got pregnant and this is my first pregnancy!!! :eek:

So did I, Honey! Both times....lol!

ROFL... Let's hope not!!!

Let's hope this is not what I'm "cookin' up" as I go over my due date:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_01/babyCAMERA_468x378.jpg

:eek::eek::eek:

Let's hope this is not what I'm "cookin' up" as I go over my due date:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_01/babyCAMERA_468x378.jpg

:eek::eek::eek:

Awww....that baby is gorgeous....bless his heart.

Don't beat yourself up about it, Em... I saw that adorable pic of you and you look absolutely petite so I wouldn't sweat it!

Bless you for using my name and the word petite in the same sentence!









(I'm a bit worried for her patients now that I know she has such poor vision)

Awww....that baby is gorgeous....bless his heart.

I think he is so beautiful too, I didn't mean it as an attack on him...but holy heck I wouldn't wanna squeeze that out of my birth canal!

My vision is quite intact, but you can still worry for the patients!!!

So I was just thinking, if ^^^ was what you were cooking up, I think you'd both be a little shocked that your baby is Asian:tongue2:

Let's hope this is not what I'm "cookin' up" as I go over my due date:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_01/babyCAMERA_468x378.jpg

:eek::eek::eek:

I'm not to sure but something tells me your baby is not gonna look like this one...:eek:

Oh lord...I am sitting here WEEZING laughing @ you Zolie.

Literally shaking...wheeew!

I'm not to sure but something tells me your baby is not gonna look like this one...:eek:

I dunno, if he was mine I could definitely say he got the cheeks from his mom!!!

That's funny because I've been laughing my butt off at each and every one of your posts!!! Out loud... The dog thinks I'm crazy!

You and babe are gonna be just fine...This is really a funny, cute thread. You ladies cracked me up tonight and I needed that...Thanks,

Wendy

Cool Trish!!! If you had said her dad was from Lebanon or Egypt I would not have assumed he was a Muslim, but the Christian community in Syria is very small.

I am glad that your daughter lovers her Arab roots, as she should! One of my best friends here is married to a Syrian and has five half American/half Syrian daughters...my mom's family doctor is also Syrian with half American/half Syrian kids. I'm sure your daughter is absolutely stunning, what a BEAUTIFUL combination - and I know how HOT you are so I can only imagine her!

And who knows, maybe your kids will bring "peace to the Middle East"...they're still young :bgrin2:

Thank you, Em!
She's a beautiful girl. Her outer beauty is only surpassed by her inner beauty. She's a wonderful girl. She's in college majoring in Early Childhood Education. She loves children and she's wonderful with them. I really am a very blessed mother. I don't take much credit for the way my children turned out. They're very much their own people and they're fantastic despite having a goofball for a mother. lol!

Here's Jess and I last summer....
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c318/pbutler317/Picture220a.jpg

That's funny because I've been laughing my butt off at each and every one of your posts!!! Out loud... The dog thinks I'm crazy!

Yea my cat keeps raising her head like "what now?"...

And, speaking of your dog...I always mean to tell you that for like 80 years I thought your screen name was "zoliepOp"..like "lollipop" with a "z"..then when I read the story of your SN and realized it was "pup" and not "pop" it was as if you changed identities, lmao!

Thanks for letting me brag about my kids on your thread....

I can't wait until you give birth to that precious boy and post pictures of him....

God (Allah) bless you both and Baba, too....

Thank you, Em!
She's a beautiful girl. Her outer beauty is only surpassed by her inner beauty. She's a wonderful girl. She's in college majoring in Early Childhood Education. She loves children and she's wonderful with them. I really am a very blessed mother. I don't take much credit for the way my children turned out. They're very much their own people and they're fantastic despite having a goofball for a mother. lol!

Here's Jess and I last summer....
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c318/pbutler317/Picture220a.jpg


She is LOVELY and I swear, she reminds me so much of the American/Syrian teenage daughter of my friend here...

It seems she got the best traits from both of her parents, how beautiful! I HOPE our baby has dark hair and olive skin but I have a feeling he'll be a "Barney kid" as my husband puts it..

Thanks for letting me brag about my kids on your thread....

I can't wait until you give birth to that precious boy and post pictures of him....

God (Allah) bless you both and Baba, too....

Thank you Trish...and please, I LOVE the "bragging" (doesn't seem like bragging to me, you're just being honest)...so please, keep it coming!

Your son is going to be gorgeous....

My daughter gets the tan I've always wished I could get.
Now if my freckles would all blend together I'd be tan.....LOL!

But, on a positive note....men adore redheads~ :p ;) :D

Lots of people think that Em, doesn't bother me... Zoliepop, zoliepop, oh zolie zoliepop (to the tune of lollipop). Everyone misspells my name in real life too. Ah what can you do?!

Windrushed and Zolie -

Thanks for the kind thoughts, it means a lot!

Zol I hope you and Sheila are right...my husband keeps going around singing Madonna "I'm gonna keep my baby" and then says "ok you made your point, you kept your baby long enough..it's time to let him out"...

Ok so it doesn't sound funny now that I typed it, but it is...

I thought it was hilarious. I instantly had a mental flashback to 1986 and a black and white video on MTV.....

:eek:

Amina, I hope you have a safe delivery and a healthy, beautiful boy.... :)

Emily, Emily, Emily....I know how hard the last month is....the waiting is interminable!

My daughter was due on Dec. 31, and she was born Jan. 13th, a full two weeks later. They were talking about a pit drip, etc. and I said, "I don't think so!"

I knew their due date was off, because I knew exactly the night I got pregnant. I came up with Jan 12th, and that's the day I went into labor!

So, I'm sticking to my original hit about your due date. December 17th. If it's earlier due to medical intervention, all bets are off!

Ok...I have to ask...

What in the heck is a "Barney kid?" Will he be purple? :D

I'm predicting December 18th. It's a good day. It has 8 in it. :D

Nadine.

Ok...I have to ask...

What in the heck is a "Barney kid?" Will he be purple? :D



A "Barney kid" is my husband's way of saying he will be white and dorky :bgrin2: like that blond, goofy boy from the Barney show.

A "Barney kid" is my husband's way of saying he will be white and dorky :bgrin2: like that blond, goofy boy from the Barney show.

AHhhhhh!!! That makes so much more sense than thinking he'd be chunky and slow and PURPLE!!! :D Whoops...silly imagination of mine! :D

Nadine.

I'm predicting Monday....the 10th.

I'm going for the 13th (my niece's birthday).

I'm also going with the 13th.

Well I read somewhere that most babies are born on Tuesdays, so I am going with December 11th! Im so excited for you! :bgrin2:

Thanks ladies, I sure hope any one of you is right b/c that would mean I don't have another million years to go. I couldn't sleep last night just thinking "oh my God, what if my due date is WAY off and I just happen to have an unusually large baby (making him seem older than he really is)...and I end up being pregnant for another month!!!" Then I pulled out all my old ultrasound pictures and found one from April, so wheeew, we can't be THAT off...

Aaah, I was hoping to see the little pumpkin by now. Hang in there.

My cousin's due date with her son was Oct 22, (his aunt's birthday). And we had another friend who was also pregnant at the same time due the same date. Hers came on Oct 22, but Brandon was overdue, he was born Nov 16, his mother's bday is Nov 14, and they allowed her to take a laxative which started labour, instead of inducing, thereby allowing her to pick his birth date. She didn't want him to share hers. She was in labour like 5 hours and out he popped.

She was happy since this pregnancy made her sick the whole 9 months just about.

They're both 13 now, how time flies.

Paris

I will say the 11th!!!!!!!!!!:yes::tongue2:

Hey amina! Please don't worry about this little guy too much! Worry causes stress, just remember that! I pick Dec. 21, 2007.:)

The 25th?

I hope it all goes well anyway, I can't imagine the mix of emotions you must be having!

By my guess, you'll have your little bambino around December 16 - in time for Eid :bgrin2:

My guess is also the 16th because of the moon's phase. It's nice day to be born anyway, because that is my nephew's birthday too! He'll be 30!

Any baby yet? :bgrin2:

Darn. I really stink at guessing when people will have babies. Well I'm still tossing my second guess out there 12/18, though I really want to pick 1/1/08 to tease you! :tongue2:

Whatever the day, I just can't wait to see the pictures! I looooove wittle babies.

Whenever the lil squirt is done marinating...

He'll pop out with a top hat and cane singing, "HELLO MY BABY!! HELLO MY HONEY!! HELLO MY RAG-TIME GAL! Send me a kiss by wire! Baby my heart's on fire!"

Then he will promptly look at you and do a lil dance and then curl up into the cutest lil bundle of baby you ever did lay your eyes on.

LOL Shues......LOL

Maybe the baby is being born today? Who knows!!! I can't wait to see the pictures!!!!! :D

If you're truly overdue - two tablespoons of castor oil in orange juice. You'll be in labor within six or eight hours. You'll go to the bathroom a lot first but you'll go into labor!!

But then, you don't know for sure if that was actually your due date - ultrasounds aren't exactly the best determiner for that. I found that out the hard way. With my last one I was told from my first sound that she was due the end of December. When I went for my sound November all of a sudden they determined that she was going to be due within a few weeks - they were right, she was born November 21 instead of December 28th. I lost a little over a month!

Thanks again everyone!!! This thread is lots of fun :bgrin2:

Welp, it's Sunday, December 9th and I've still got no baby and no signs of labor...

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted if there's any news..

Someone clearly has a mind of his own already!

You got that right - I don't know WHERE he got that from!!! :no:

I can just see you sitting there polishing your halo and whistling innocently!

Three days over and counting...

la la la laaaaaaaaa...

Mamacita (to be) hang in there... He is coming, he is coming down! He is just doing it very slowly, at his own pace. He sure is going to have a mind of his own!:yes:

As to a date? Hmmmmmmm well, any minute now! :bgrin2:

PS Make sure that you have made arrangements for someone to notify us of the great news as soon as possible! :)

Okay, I'm gonna get more specific:

12/17 (although the 14th is niggling at me too)

8:07AM

6lbs 14oz

19 3/4" long

Thanks Alta baby!!!

Kat, you are so cute!

I would be SHOCKED if this guy is that tiny but it sure would make my life easier!!!

My goodness..every time I see you post I think to myself...she isn't off having that baby yet? Good grief!

With my son, Jake, I went quite a bit over. The thing that did finally send me into labor was walking. Not that you would want to push it or rush it any.

I went for a walk downtown that day, I think I walked about 2 miles or so. When I got home I thought to myself, that didn't do a thing for me! Went to bed that night, woke up around midnight and my contractions were 3 minutes apart. :eek:

Two of my labors started when I was sleeping....

Any day now...*taps fingers*

I think the baby is going to be closer to 8 pounds with adorable chubby cheeks and beautiful dark hair....

I can't wait!

What a lot of first time mamas don't realize is that often they are already in labour and don't even know it. Those little aches and pains that one always gets just from simply being so large, the ones you've gotten used to over time, suddenly start getting a wee bit stronger, and you think, ah weeell, something I ate?

Before you know it, you're in labour and on looking back, you have been for some time, only you didn't know that's what it was.

Also, first babies often arrive after the due date. They like it in there. It's warm and cozy. Just rest, rest, rest. Relax, and enjoy these last few days of quiet. Once the little guy pops out, things will change in ways you can't even imagine :)

My goodness..every time I see you post I think to myself...she isn't off having that baby yet? Good grief!

With my son, Jake, I went quite a bit over. The thing that did finally send me into labor was walking. Not that you would want to push it or rush it any.

I went for a walk downtown that day, I think I walked about 2 miles or so. When I got home I thought to myself, that didn't do a thing for me! Went to bed that night, woke up around midnight and my contractions were 3 minutes apart. :eek:

Two of my labors started when I was sleeping....

Any day now...*taps fingers*

I think the baby is going to be closer to 8 pounds with adorable chubby cheeks and beautiful dark hair....

I can't wait!

LOL, I feel the same way about myself "I'm not off having this baby yet???" hehehe...

I try to go for a nice, long walk every day but so far it hasn't helped matters. In fact the baby still hasn't even "dropped" yet..*sigh*...I go on Tuesday for my next appointment. My doctor said if don't deliver by the Tuesday AFTER that (the 18th) that they'll induce me on that Wednesday, God willing. I don't want to be induced but we'll just play it by ear...I also don't want to try and give birth to a 10 pound baby!

I'm sure he'll have chubby cheeks like me, poor him! I hope he has dark hair and I would love it if he had some Arab features but Egyptians are such a mix of things that you really can't predict what you're going to get. My husband's cousin had a baby who has BLEACH blond hair and LIGHT blue eyes..and she's 100% Egyptian. My mom was born blond and blue..and my husband was born with brown hair so who the heck knows! I would love an "exotic" child though!

Hang in there Amina, this is so exciting!
I don't know how your doing it.....those last few days..ack:rolleyes:
I will say a prayer that he comes soon......lest you have a 20 lb baby :eek::p
Brightest Blessings, TD

What a lot of first time mamas don't realize is that often they are already in labor and don't even know it. Those little aches and pains that one always gets just from simply being so large, the ones you've gotten used to over time, suddenly start getting a wee bit stronger, and you think, ah weeell, something I ate?

Before you know it, you're in labour and on looking back, you have been for some time, only you didn't know that's what it was.

Also, first babies often arrive after the due date. They like it in there. It's warm and cozy. Just rest, rest, rest. Relax, and enjoy these last few days of quiet. Once the little guy pops out, things will change in ways you can't even imagine :)

Great to see you back Celtish!!!

Yep, I know about first babies often being late...but that doesn't make me any less impatient, lol. My husband and I enjoy every moment we have together but it's hard for us not to want to meet the little guy as soon as possible.

On Tuesday they'll hook me up to monitors to see if I am having "silent" contractions...even if I am, lol..they aren't doing me any good. I know of ladies who were contracting for a month before they actually went into active labor - yikes!!!

Thanks for your kind words and once again, it is great to see you back!

Not having time to read this thread, only the subject ... I'm going with December 19th.

Glad to hear that you are feeling well and the baby is doing well also!

Enjoy these last few days Emily.

It's really a time in that you always can't wait to end so you can finally see the baby, but now I look at Aña and I remember when she was kicking around in my belly with such fond memories of how I felt very bonded to her.

You are carrying such a blessing. How do you congratulate and bless someone in a way fitting to your religion? I would like to do that for you when you have little Abdullah but am not sure how to.

AMINA I am counting with yoU!
Breath one two and three and PUSH sister PUSH! We are waiting hehe:yes:

dont worry I can help catch!
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/1547/11627708.JPG

How are you doing, Emily?

Just asking because I got this feeling that things might have started :p

*fingers crossed*

Nothing has started...as in NOTHING. *sigh*...

I'm really a sick-o, tonight I took my blood pressure on our home tester thingie (this one is accurate, I know lots of them are not) and it said my bp was like 140/85...I got very excited, like "yaaaay they might say I need to be induced b/c my bp is high!!!? (for me that is very high, normally I'm like 100/60 and have been the whole pregnancy...then we took it again like an hour later and it was down to 120/70...and I was like "awww man!"

LOL, yes I know I'm nuts. And no, I don't hate being pregnant, I'm not "over it" - I'm just dying to meet this little guy and now that my due date has come and gone like it's meaningless I feel like I might NEVER get to meet him!

LOL, yes I know I'm nuts. And no, I don't hate being pregnant, I'm not "over it" - I'm just dying to meet this little guy and now that my due date has come and gone like it's meaningless I feel like I might NEVER get to meet him!

Ha! I think anyone who missed their due date thought that very thought.

It really is a bummer to watch it go zipping by. I hope for your benefit that you go into labor on your own. There's something exciting about being taken by surprise and finding yourself in labor.

Jumping jacks! Bumpy car ride! (what are some of the other things people tell us to do to bring on labor) :D

LOL... Well I do have a good advise for how to start the labor though... but this thread isn't posted in SS... so I don't know if I should tell ya! ;)

That was the way I (we... LOL) started the labor with my youngest one :p

LOL... Well I do have a good advise for how to start the labor though... but this thread isn't posted in SS... so I don't know if I should tell ya! ;)

That was the way I (we... LOL) started the labor with my youngest one :p


I already told her in PM the other day. ;)

I already told her in PM the other day. ;)

LOL! Quickly imagining suggestions sent to Amina via PM. :eek: :D

*cues the bow-chicka-bow-wow music*

LOL....didn't work for me!
What did was telling my doctor that I was going to jump in front of the next bus that went by.....He induced!
Hang in there Amina....he'll be out and in his terrible twos before you know it :p
Blessings, TD

All I'm sayin' is that we've tried it all...

Now excuse me while I go and try to get the "Shamu and Her Trainer" porno image out of my head...

Yupthat did not work for me either!! :bgrin2:
Hang in Emily!!!

Yupthat did not work for me either!! :bgrin2:
Hang in Emily!!!

Hey Lily...I always mean to tell you when I see your siggy that I was named after Emily Dickinson and the poem that your siggy quote came from was framed and hung in my nursery/bedroom all of my life.

Hey Lily...I always mean to tell you when I see your siggy that I was named after Emily Dickinson and the poem that your siggy quote came from was framed and hung in my nursery/bedroom all of my life.
Cool!!! I am a closet fan of poetry, have always loved it.. Emily D rocks!!!

Godspeed!

Amina, I wish you the best of luck on the birth of your baby. Please stop by and let me know how you made out at TOP.

Best,
Bub

I have also heard that eating pineapple and spicy foods help start labor!

There could be some truth to that...

I ate a big fat burrito just an hour or so before I went into labor with my first!

Okay Amina...we want you eat a burrito and some pineapple while walking a couple miles, doing jumping jacks, and then come home and get busy with the hubby....

That right there is a fail-proof plan... :o

we want you eat a burrito and some pineapple while walking a couple miles, doing jumping jacks, and then come home and get busy with the hubby....

Woohoo that there is a plan....Amina.....you better get onto it girl....

Uh oh...no messages from Amina today? Could TODAY be the day?

Maybe she's just having tests done.....

I'm really waiting for this baby to show up. LOL

Where is that baby boy - fashionably LATE???? :D

She mentioned she had a doctor's appt today, so maybe we will here updates soon...

Hey guys!

I'm still here, lol.

Well, I had my doctor's appointment today and everything looks great with the baby.

My doctors are very adamant about the fact that they want me to be induced if the baby does not come by Friday. I told them that I really did not want to go that route unless it is medically necessary and they both said that they feel if I do not induce the baby will become too large for a vaginal birth (mama, granny, and half sister all have small birth canals and had to have c-sections). They said he is healthy now and they don't want to wait until the placenta starts to deteriorate. This coming week is also the Islamic equivalent of a whole week of Christmas Days put together...it's the end of Hajj which means everyone will be on holiday. My doctors will not be on holiday but much of the normal staff will be and to be honest I think they also want to make sure that I have good nurses (not a floor full of per diam nurses) and that the administration office staff is there to do the paper work which is kind of complicated since an American and an Egyptian are having a baby in Saudi Arabia - and if the paperwork is messed up it will mean the baby's citizenship is messed up.

Let's not let this become a debate about induction, ok? I'm going to follow my doctors' advice and if he is not here by Friday I will be admitted at 6pm (on Friday) and have all the preliminary stuff done then they will start the pitocin at 6am on Saturday morning.

So, that's the news...let's pray he decides to come on his own before Friday, if not, let's pray he comes safely on Saturday!

*hugs*

~Emily

So exciting habibti, can't wait to meet el bash mohandess Abdallah !!!
:D:D:D

Hugs back at you Em!
So....if the little guy comes on Saturday....who won the bet???
Oh and, I think your doctors are doing right by you, if that is of any comfort!
Blessings, TD

Sending as much positive birthing energy as I can your way..... :D

You have great doctors, great information....you are a smart woman and are doing the best thing for you and your family! Good luck!

P.S. I had a dream about this 2 nights ago....you posted a picture album here on AL, but the baby hadn't been born yet, so you posted a bunch of pictures of your husband when he was a baby and little boy with his mama...lolol. What does THAT mean???? :p

P.S. I had a dream about this 2 nights ago....you posted a picture album here on AL, but the baby hadn't been born yet, so you posted a bunch of pictures of your husband when he was a baby and little boy with his mama...lolol. What does THAT mean???? :p

I have no idea what that means but I'm truly honored that you had a dream about me!!!

P.S. my husband looked like a Butterball turkey when he was a baby and I look like a butterball turkey now...so it should be interesting!!!

So, Em, was your cervix effaced at all today?

*still hoping you deliver on the 13th*

Kat-

The doc didn't do an internal today. She said at this point it doesn't much matter but according to the u/s the baby's head was much farther down toward the birth canal than it was last week, but still not "all the way"...

Ack! When I saw that you posted, Em, I thought, "What?? That means STILL no baby!!"

You must be going crazy! At the end I'm always like, "I am DONE with being pregnant. Hello!?!" :D

Ooooo! I am so excited for you!! :D:yes:

Em, my whole pregnancy I thought I was positive how Myan was going to look.
Of course I had a million ultra sounds to see her "structure" but I just new she would have very dark hair and light skin....wasn't sure about her eyes....dad's are blue and mine dark brown.
She was just the opposite....darker Italian skin and light brown hair.
You never know lol :no:

Ack! When I saw that you posted, Em, I thought, "What?? That means STILL no baby!!"

You must be going crazy! At the end I'm always like, "I am DONE with being pregnant. Hello!?!" :D

Ooooo! I am so excited for you!! :D:yes:

I know!!! I'm going nuts! The strange thing is that I am very sad about the pregnancy coming to an end...I feel like once he's born he's on the fast track to life, like that's it - he's born and then he's 20 before I know it. Being pregnant feels like I'm still 'safe' - like he's still a baby and still shielded from all of the horrors that the world has to offer. He's not having trouble walking, he's not bad in math, he doesn't hang out with the wrong crowd...he's just my little precious baby who wiggles in my tummy.

Oh, but once he's here you'll so love to show him all of the WONDERS the world has to offer, too.

And you'll be so filled with joy at the wonder of this little human being filled with so much potential! Kierney is at this stage that she's just about to be a toddler - she's almost walking (not quite ready to let go yet) and eating all sorts of foods and I'm sure her first word will be any day now. I watch her little head c0ck to one side as she looks at something new and then she squeels in delight at the boxer pup licks her face.

Remember - there is a lot of love and beauty in the world, too! :yes: And showing that to your child is part of the joy! :cool:

You're totally right Kristin...and I can't wait for those moments. I guess I'm just a bit put off by all the women who keep going on and on about how quickly their children grow up - I know women with two month old babies who are sobbing when they see a newborn b/c their two month olds are "too big" already. I hear of women sobbing at their child's one year birthday because their baby is gone...

I'm not blaming moms for being like that, and heck I might be one of those moms..but darn, life is about change and progress and it is really depressing when people seem incapable of accepting that. Like, a newborn should not be any more "special" than a toddler, than a pre-schooler, than a teenager, etc...It's all part of the cool process of parenting. It just makes me sad when people keep acting like the only good time in our lives is the when we have our FIRST baby and then it's only good for like the FIRST 6 months b/c then the babies get too big. What is THAT all about? I really hope that when (God willing) I have a second baby I'm not like "oh, *yawn*..been there, done that"...

Amina,

You won't be a Mom that takes childbirth for granted after the first.

I have five grown children now and each was an individual miracle. They entered this world with their own distinct personality.

If anything, the fifth was more of a miracle than the first. All were a precious gift from God.

Wishing you all God's blessings and an happy delivery.

Sorry for you that you are going nuts, but glad to see you and baby are well and a plan is in progress...

sometimes the lil bundles dont like to come out on their own, despite mother nature. My 2nd was due aug 14th, they didnt induce me until sept 5th, and they really waited about a week too long. The placenta was shot, and tore all to pieces, causing them to have to go exploring in my uterus to remove it all, not fun. My son was 10 lbs 6 oz and they estimated that he actually had dropped weight the last week. He was way over cooked. Fingernails so long they curled over his fingertips, skin dry and peeling, blood sugar very low....he had to be put on formula immediately after birth and was consuming 8 ounces every 3 hours for the first 2 days until my milk came in. Even then I had to supplement for a bit because he was eating way more than I was producing.

Hes 17 now and a brilliant young man as well as a gifted classical pianist. No worse for the wear :) your docs are doing the right thing....I hope he comes before saturday, but if not, all will be fine and you will be holding him very soon!!!

Best wishes to you and your little family Amina!!!

Whoever guessed the 14th is probably right on target....even if she goes into labour today, she could give birth on the 14th....

Amina--in labour yet? Any pain?

I wanna see the baby! (in my whiney Seinfeld voice)......:D

Nothing yet? wow.

Ill go with Mexican superstition and go with the next moon change. So the 17th over here..

Good luck to you Amina.

Hey, yeah, Em, have him on the 14th!!! That's a GREAT day to be born on!! :bgrin2:;)

Ohlis, thanks for the wonderful post...your son sounds awesome.

No labor, no signs of labor...ate a VERY spicy Indian meal tonight and NOTHING.

Hang in there!!! He'll be here soon :)

ANYTHING????

The suspense is killing me.

Paris

7:12 AM on Thursday in Riyadh and still no news...

I can't wait to get to Friday evening so we can get the ball rolling b/c now that I know when the big day is, every moment seems like an hour...

*Looks at clock*

It's 3:22 pm in Riyadh now and it's not too late for your water to break and get some action going to meet my Dec 13th timeline!


*knows there's not a snowball's chance of it, but keeping fingers crossed*

I'm crossing them with you,Katrina!

3:06 AM on FRIDAY in Riyadh...

Still no signs of labor...I'll be admitted to the hospital at 6 PM tonight, God willing.

Yay!!! I'm so excited!

3:06 AM on FRIDAY in Riyadh...

Still no signs of labor...I'll be admitted to the hospital at 6 PM tonight, God willing.

Yay!!! I'm so excited!

WOOO HOO few hours to go then??? GO EMILY!!! I am so excited for you!

Like I said, December 14th is a great day to get born on!! :D;)

I'm so excited to see the little fellow!!!

Wish you the best for the upcomming event!!!

Come back soon and let us have a peak at the first photos!

Good luck, Em! I'll be thinking of you and giving you support through prayer.

Amina should be admitted to hospital in about an hour.....hope everything goes well!

I can't wait to hear about the baby!!!!

Me either! It's really exciting. :)

Im thinking of you Emmy!

Em....thinking about you and praying everything goes smoothly.
Let's see, first child, she is small, their inducing....sounds familiar.
Hopefully she won't have a 20 hour labor like I did.
I guess that it is common to have a long labor with your first and also when being induced.....ack!!!
Hang in there Emily!!!
Much Love, TD

Yeah same with me....1st one I was small, he was large and I had to be induced. 24 hours of labour! ack! Can't wait to hear from Em and her new little one!

Poor thing...I am sure she is at some point in her labor as we speak.
Hang on Em....It is worth it!
Not that this is of any comfort at the moment:eek:

Exactly...it is all worth it, whatever you have to go through. Keep focused Em...and BREATHE through the pain....

My sister has never felt a labour pain...with any of her 3 kids...she was a lucky one...

WHAT???
I don't understand lol?

By now she should be having the BIG boy! :)

Yes! Those first babies do seem to take a while. I got the pitocin because my water broke and my labor wasn't progressing as it should, and I was in labor about 20 hours! He weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces!

Here's hoping for an easy labor....!!!!

Hmm..you girls aren't making me feel all warm and fuzzy about childbirth....hehe...but then again, neither does my Mom. Every story she tells, the labour gets longer and longer....

LOL Miffy! Kind of like the whole...We walked 3 miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow...with cardboard boxes for shoes....

In a blizzard with no coat no less. . .

Never fear Miff, my labors actually got shorter - the last two were really short compared to the 20 hours each for the first two! Drew took about 16 hours start to finish and Em only took 2!! ( I almost delivered her on the side of the road...it was 28 miles to the hospital and she wasn't willing to wait)

I'm 37 in April, so I've heard my share of childbirth horror stories....my Mom is worried she'll never be a grandma, so now she leaves out the really gory details ..:p

I feel like such a putz getting excited over someone else's baby, but this is REALLY exciting for me....

I'm so excited to hear from her! http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b196/Joelstrouble/emos/olebump.gif

Hmm..you girls aren't making me feel all warm and fuzzy about childbirth....hehe...but then again, neither does my Mom. Every story she tells, the labour gets longer and longer....

Like this one
When I had you I walked 9 miles to the hospital only the hospital was also a factory for steel! while in labor I had to make curtains and balance the check bookbook WHILE I tried breathing and I did it without drugs..I lived for the pain! LOL

LOL...I guess it does sort of sound like those stories...just wish mine had gotten shorter like Molly's. No...mine got longer...but that is because my body did not cooperate like it should to have short labours. Hence having my tubes tied after the 3rd.

Hope to hear good news soon from Em...how exciting to have a new baby come into the world!

I keep checking in to see if there is a baby yet!!!!

Ditto!!!
He should be in this world by now!!!!
Emily, I am sure that your life, right now, is filled with the most intense feelings of love you've ever felt!.....and are probably pretty tired too:yes:
Much love,TD

Sending lots of love and hugs your way, Em!
:prayer:

anticipating the news em.. :)
hugs

:bighug:

Hope you and your baby are doing great!!! Lots of love from here....to you!!!!

Just like everybody else, I am waiting anxiously to hear from Em! This is so exciting!!

I hope all his well with mother and child!!!!

Hey Em.....hang in there honeybun....

and just to put a positive spin on childbirth I had three 10lb babies, first in hospital coz she was stillborn, but the other two at home, in water, very beautiful labours and delivery, no stitches, tears, traumas and bonny happy babies....it still hurt but it was beautiful, and if I could have afforded more kids I would gladly have gone through the experience many times

Sending you lots of prayers, hugs and kisses!!

I can't wait til she comes back!

I remember I was posting here from my Treo (http://www.agelesslove.com/boards/showthread.php?t=28430)from the hospital room! LOL! :D

I truly am an Ageless addict! :rolleyes:

Emily....are you doing ok?
Thinking about you and you new family!
HURRY UP and POST!!!!
Love, J

Where on earth is that girl? Hurry up and let us know how you and little Abdullah are doing!!

Many hugs!

Ali

Failed induction:

I’m still in shock…I never imagined that I’d be back here posting on this board while STILL pregnant.

So here is the story, I apologize for the length but I’m not really thinking clearly at this point:

I went in on Friday for induction. They inserted the first cervical tablet and said I was 1cm, soft cervix, and 60% effaced. Everything was absolutely fabulous; DH and I were walking on air. I was put in an induction room with 3 other women and told I would “just” stay there until I was 4 cm and then would be moved to a private labor room where DH could be with me the whole time (in the induction room you are only allowed visitors for four hours a day). Unlike the labor and post-birth rooms, the induction room is not meant to be a place you stay for a long time – hence there is NOTHING entertaining about it, no TV, no wi-fi, no view of anything remotely interesting – nothing.

I was up all night Friday in total excitement, I was completely under the impression that my labor would begin early Saturday. My doctor came in Saturday morning and said I had made no progress and that this was totally normal, especially for a first pregnancy. They inserted another tablet and swept my membrane. Eight hours later there was still zero progress and absolutely no signs of contractions on the monitor. The other women in the room kept coming and going in a matter of hours while I stayed with no signs of impending labor. By Saturday night I was absolutely exhausted, I honestly could not sleep for 5 seconds the entire time I was there…so the exhaustion mixed with the emotions really did a number on me. After the third tablet, more membrane sweeping, and still no progress I was totally devastated.

Unlike many other doctors, my doctor will not start pitocin until a woman is at least 4 cm. A woman who does not get to 4 cm via cervical tablets is considered a “failed induction”. I couldn’t have any more tablets b/c I had reached the maximum dosage that is safe to have in a 32 hour period. My doctor told me they would try the more powerful cervical tape the next morning. A third night of no sleep and by the morning I was a total mess. I kept thinking “why am I here in the first place?” “Why are they doing this to my body and my baby when there is no urgent medical reason?”…I literally thought I was going to have a panic attack and demanded that my doctor come immediately following the two emergency c-sections he was doing. He came a few hours later and I was in absolute shambles. I told him how I was feeling and he said I had a few options – they could give me the cervical tape and wait ANOTHER 24 hours (I swear to you, in that room 24 minutes seemed like 24 hours) to see if it worked (I felt sure it would not work) and if it did not get me to 4 cm they would either a) do a c-section or b) give me the option to go home and let my body rest for a few days and then try again. I could not imagine having a c-section for no reason, I hadn’t even gone into labor and there was nothing wrong with me or the baby…and, the thought of going through another day or two of no progress really threw me over the edge. I said to him “so why can’t I just go home now and try to let the baby come when he is ready, clearly he is not ready and my body is not ready – but both me and the baby seem totally healthy and fine according to all the tests and monitoring, AND considering I always had irregular ovulation cycles maybe my due date is off” So, my doctor did one last ultrasound, confirmed the baby was in great shape and then gave me the option to go home. He said if I am not in active labor by Monday morning on the 24th of December (one week from today) I MUST be re-admitted for induction with the knowledge and acceptance that I will not be able to leave until I either have the baby vaginally or they decide to do a c-section. He said he can not rationalize letting me go longer than that because the baby is already measuring over 8 pounds and is over 41 weeks (although even he admitted that it’s very possible that the baby may be about 40 weeks due to my irregular cycles)…

So, I came back home. I’ve never been happier to see my husband or my own bed. I am really MESSED UP emotionally about the fact that I am home and still PREGNANT…but, I’m very thankful that the baby and I are both healthy. I honestly feel like I could be pregnant for another 5 years or like I’ll NEVER be able to give birth. It’s a very strange, horrible feeling and as I saw women coming one after another into the induction room only to hear the nurses say a few hours later “the woman from bed 3 delivered a baby boy at 2:30 am this morning” I became totally convinced that I would be the first human to get pregnant and stay pregnant forever.

I keep getting messages and my family keeps getting calls from people who assume that I had the baby and no one told them. No one can believe that I went in to be induced and came home three days later still pregnant – I can not believe it either.

So, that’s my story…thanks to those of you who read this far.

*sigh*

awww, Emily!!!
:bighug:

Take your time and try to relax at home (I know, easier said than done).
As you said both you and Abdullah are healty so at this point there is little use to worry.
I personally though that it was a little early to start induction anyways.
I think that they don't consider that until you are 14 days over here in Norway (atleast that is how it was when I got Karima, but that is almost 18 years ago ;)).

Have you managed to get a long sleep after all this though?

Yep, I could have rationalized waiting longer too...but there were so many circumstances that made me just bite my lip and let it happen. Sounds stupid but with my husband having these two weeks off for an Islamic holiday I thought "well at least he won't have to miss any work while he's home helping me and the baby"...of course that was NOT a reason why I allowed them to induce me, but it was a reason why I didn't fight it as hard as I should have...

There's also the fear of something happening to the baby...god forbid something bad happened to my baby b/c I went against doctor's advice I think I would never forgive myself - but now I realize there should also be the "god forbid something bad happens to my baby because I DID follow doctor's advice" reflex as well...

To my doctor's defense I think he was in a bit of a bad spot b/c I have the difficult issue of a very unclear due date and a baby that is measuring large. So, on one hand he doesn't want to take the baby too early and on the other hand he doesn't want me to try and deliver a 10 pound baby...I'm not making excuses for him, but I still do believe that he had the best of intentions and was not just taking the "lazy" way out.

I hope I didn't sound like i was trying to say that the doctor (or you) did something wrong, because that was not what I ment. :(

I understand that you are feeling a little confused and are thinking about all the "what if's", but I think that your body will tell you when you are good and ready... and looking back on your thread... I don't think you felt that you were ready just yet ;)

I'm a little confused. By "sweeping the membranes" do you mean rupturing the membranes (not an obstetrician here :o)? If so, why didn't they followed the failed induction with a c-section as planned? I'm getting a little worried and I can understand why you are an emotional wreck. Its Monday..the beginning of a new work week. Lets pray something happens today!

I'm a little confused. By "sweeping the membranes" do you mean rupturing the membranes (not an obstetrician here :o)? If so, why didn't they followed the failed induction with a c-section as planned? I'm getting a little worried and I can understand why you are an emotional wreck. Its Monday..the beginning of a new work week. Lets pray something happens today!

Don't be worried Rozie my love. From everything I have studied and from all the obstetricians that I know here and back in the States it seems my doctor is following the book and going on the side of caution with everything. In fact, most OBGYN's start pitocin whether a woman is dilated or not which often results in horrible labor and eventual c-section...

Here is the definition of "sweeping the membrane" (not to be confused with "rupturing the membrane") that I found from a mid-wife website...

Membrane sweeping is done by your midwife or doctor. While internally examining you, he or she will simply "sweep" a finger around the neck of your womb (cervix). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if the neck of your womb is already softening and preparing for labour. It does not increase the risk of infection to either you or your baby.

A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable as the neck of the womb is often difficult to reach before labour begins and there may be some slight "spotting" of blood and irregular contractions immediately afterwards.

If your baby is overdue and induction of labour is being suggested, it is now recommended that a membrane sweep is offered beforehand.

As for it being Monday, unfortunately that doesn't mean it's the beginning of the week here! The weekend here is Wednesday and Thursday and this particular week is the equivalent of a whole week of Christmas's in the States! It's the week leading up to the Eid holiday during the Hajj/Pilgrimage holiday. So, yea...I picked a fine time to try and have a baby - during the holiest time of year for Christians and Muslims, lol!

I hope I didn't sound like i was trying to say that the doctor (or you) did something wrong, because that was not what I ment. :(

I understand that you are feeling a little confused and are thinking about all the "what if's", but I think that your body will tell you when you are good and ready... and looking back on your thread... I don't think you felt that you were ready just yet ;)

I totally know what you meant and it didn't sound like you were saying anything bad at all. I totally agree with everything you said and I keep saying it to myself over and over again!

Well...baloney!! But thanks for clearing that up.

I hope your wait won't be too much longer, Emily! I know how frustrating this is!!!
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b196/Joelstrouble/emos/c248.gif

Well...baloney!! But thanks for clearing that up.

Which part is baloney? Or is the whole thing a big baloney sandwhich?

I'm not saying the WAY OBGYNs are conducting their treatments these days is the best or right way...all I'm saying is that my doctor is not doing anything out of the ordinary. I am part of a "due date club" that has like over 100 American women in it and all of the women who went past their due dates or who had medical reasons for induction had their membranes "swept" by their doctors.

I guess I'm not defending the way obstetrics is practiced in this day and age, I'm just saying that my doctor is not doing anything strange or quackish...

Em,

First off... ((hugs)). I'm sorry you went through all this. How nerve-wracking and scary and...I can't imagine.

I feel totally confident that you and your husband have made the right decision for you and your baby. No matter what they tried, your little body was just hanging on to that baby, it wasn't ready to let him go yet!

The tests said you are fine and the baby is fine (and my goodness, isn't he a big boy!). He just wasn't ready yet. And who knows, 24 hours from now, he may be ready. Life is crazy!

You just continue to follow your gut instinct...follow your heart (which you have always done or you wouldn't be where you are now)....and everything is gonna be just fine. Im soooo proud of you, Em. When I think about you, my heart just swells up....

Jo,

You're going to make me cry. You say the sweetest, most thoughtful things.

Thank you so much...

~Em

He's decided that he's coming home to you when he wants to, not when the doc wants to. He's going to be the type of child who will stay out and play with his friends until you pick him up and bring him home. I guarantee it!

Don't worry! There is nothing to worry about at all. If you've dropped it's likely that you will give birth in the next ten days, so my guess is that the second induction won't happen.

Ali

i thought i was going to be pregnant the rest of my life too.... she was 2 weeks late. you just resign and accept the beached whale state. ;)

you tried to "encourage", dear son refused(wonder if thats a hint of years to come ;) )... now, exactly as you are doing...let him/your body decide.
goona be fine, and over before you know it!



question...wed/thu are weekend???

Thanks Christina...

Ok I just realized I said wed/thurs...but I meant thursday and friday. Sorry, my brain is gone. But yes, the weekend here is thursday and friday b/c friday is the Islamic day of group prayer service...just like we have sunday off in America b/c sunday is the christian day of prayer.

ok...never realized it was different, thu/fri...limited thinking here ;)

have you been able to sleep?
hard to when you are "huge" and probably sad/stressed/discouraged....and anxious.
will your mom be going over?

what threw me was saying weekend... if you had said religious(off) days...

what threw me was saying weekend... if you had said religious(off) days...

It's no different babe. Our weekends in America were chosen as religious days, so the beginning of the week became Monday and the end started on Friday, hence the "weekend" was Saturday and Sunday. Here they call Thursday and Friday the "weekend" because of the same exact reasons. Just like people go (or used to go) to church on Sunday, people here go (or used to go) to the mosque on Friday. The work week starts on Saturday and ends on Wednesday.

So..just like no one American would say "We're planning to backpacking on the upcoming religious days" (lol)...no one here would refer to the weekend like that either. It's the weekend, just happens to be on different days.

In many countries through out the world the weekend is not on Saturday and Sunday.

LOL, anyway not sure why I'm rambling about this - but at least it's killing some time!!!

have you been able to sleep?
hard to when you are "huge" and probably sad/stressed/discouraged....and anxious.
will your mom be going over?

I slept as soon as I came home, thank God. Thankfully, my size, discomfort, and anxiety were no match for my utter state of exhaustion. I have no idea if I'll be able to sleep again though..I'm a bad sleeper to begin with.

My mom is coming on February 3rd, God willing. With the Hajj holiday they close visas for a certain amount of time so the only way we could safely get her a visa was if we left enough time between the end of the Hajj holiday and the time of her flight...otherwise there would be a chance that we wouldn't get the visa in time.

give me a break ;)..it was just "box" thinking and what i am used to. ;) i "know" there are different observances of religious days...but i just got thrown with "weekend". i've always lived with sat/sun.

actually...i think that mom is coming later is a good thing. for me, the last thing i wanted was others around...i needed to figure out "this mom thing" on my own with a few panic calls thrown in....plus let the hormones kinda get back to normal.

He's decided that he's coming home to you when he wants to, not when the doc wants to. He's going to be the type of child who will stay out and play with his friends until you pick him up and bring him home. I guarantee it!...I just cracked up at the thought of this..Em picking up Abdullah and dragging him home...very cute

and Jo you do say sweet things...that was a lovely post

Em nothing wrong with 10 pound babies...they are bonny and never look back...beautiful bonnie big babies....

sweeping the membrane to stimulate the cervix is a good thing...rupturing the membranes can leave you open to infection if you dont deliver soon after they are ruptured....yu'll be right...listen to your instincts...this is time to be the momma lion and protect that cub....do whatever feels right for all of you....wont be long now

I'm fully with your doc on not starting the induction with pitocin, if your cervix is ready, the gel would work.

Sometimes your body knows best.

Little bear needs a little more time to marinate is all.

Big hugs, sweetie, someday you'll wonder how it all went so fast.

I've heard this before...we expect that everyone just checks into the hospital and delivers, but it doesn't always happen that way...For what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing--listen to your body.

Hehe...I tell everyone that I will plan my birth so that my baby isn't born near any major holidays...I have a friend who had a baby near Easter and another near Labour Day and she encountered doctors who tried to push her along so they could enjoy their holidays. I understand where they're coming from, but I think when you're experiencing childbirth, the last thing you want is to be rushed.

Awww Em....stubborn little guy, isn't he!
Wonder where he gets that ? ;)
Love, TD

Em, in all the years that I worked in L&D, we sent many mamas home without delivering. So, what you are going through is not that unusual although probably happens less often in the US now than it did 15 years ago. I think doc's here in the US are in too much of a hurry.

Abdullah's fine just where he is. God is the one who knows when it is time. And, about the size -- well, you can either end up with a c-section for a failed induction, or a c-section for failed progression of labor due to his size. So, I say why not let nature take its course and see what happens. I've yet to see a pregnancy NOT end. It will happen when it is time, whether naturally or if you have to have the scheduled admission the next time.

About "sweeping the membranes" we call that "stripping the membranes" here in the US. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.

But, one thing I can pretty much bank on -- whatever cervical tablet they used probably did have SOME effect, even if only to soften the cervix further. Do continue to go for walks. And continue the other tips I shared with you. All that will certainly help.

Oh and if you do have to go back in for a repeat induction, be sure and take plenty of books. I cannot believe they cannot provide a private place for a mother to be to relax with even a television even if being induced. My experience was that the LONGEST time a woman was in L&D was for induction, so they should make sure that women are more comfortable.

Aw, man, Em, that just totally stinkolas - I'm so sorry!! Well, at least you and little Abdullah are fine and healthy, he's just taking his time with the grand entrance!!! ((hugs))

Awww, Em! That sucks that you had to go through that! :(

Well, he can't stay in there forever - you know he'll be here soon! :yes:

Sounds to me like your doc knows what he is doing!

Take care, sweetie!!

Emily, the "baloney" part is just my way of saying "darn it"! Just feeling your frustration.

Emily
I promise you won't be pregnant forever :no: I know how that feels I was that way with my son to and I felt like he would never arrive..I was 2 weeks over due and felt like a HOUSE!

BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was also two weeks late with my daughter.One of the nurses suggested that I try to have sex to bring on my labor, as all the walking I was doing wasn't bringing it on. At that point, sex was too uncomfortable, so she went on to suggested having sex without penetration (as it makes the uterus contract). My doctor was pretty slick though. He decided to do an internal when I went in for my last neo-stress test. It was veeeerrrrrrrry uncomfortable, to say the least. He looked at me, smiled and confidently told me that I would probably have my baby within the next two days. I went home and had a chocolate milk shake...and the labor began...light ...light ..tweaky feelings..no pain. Later on that evening...while watching Johnny Carson...(loooooong time ago!!!!)...I felt the baby turn suddenly in my womb...and my water broke. Ten hours later I had the most amazingly beautiful baby girl....Well worth the weight...er ..um...I mean wait!! Good luck!

I still say the birth date will be December 21st. :D

aw, Em! :bighug: I know this must be frustrating, but hang in there! Before you know it you'll be seeing that precious little face. :)

I just want to see another ageless baby!!

woohoo Emily....breath !

My son was a month early....I was relieved!

too many exclamation marks.....breath !

So happy for you !


....see they keep coming....

I better stop now.
I am excited for you and the daddy.

Take care Momma.

Wendy

Hmm..haven't heard from Amina today!

Could this MEAN? Maybe? Perhaps? .........:p

Just checking in to see if there is any news ;)

Don't get excited ya'll...there is NO news. *twitches...pulls hair out*

I go walking every day, yesterday my husband and I even went to the track. I had a very spicy dinner..among other "things" that can be done to try and "stimulate" labor - still, NADA.

I am starting to feel quite anxious about this entire situation. My husband had almost three weeks off for the Islamic Eid al Adha holiday and it seemed the induction was coming at the PERFECT time when he could be home with baby and I with out even missing work. Now, his vacation will be ending on December 29th and there is still absolutely no sign of the lil' bambino.

Today is the first of the three day Eid holiday so since I couldn't sleep I got up and started a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce and did some chores around the house...I'm trying to keep active and busy in hopes that both will be beneficial to my mental state and bringing on labor - but so far I'm still crazy and still pregnant :yes:

Thanks to all my dear friends here who are truly helping to make this an even more wondrous experience.

Love,

Em

Hang in there, darling... This little guy is just on his own schedule. Maybe your flurry of activity today is the harbinger of impending labor... My sisters always go crazy cooking/cleaning the day before they go into labor. ( I make it sound like they have a million babies... there's only 5!)

Em, when you find yourself 'nesting' ... getting things ready ahead of time, it usually means labor will begin between the next day or up to two weeks!!

Em, when you find yourself 'nesting' ... getting things ready ahead of time, it usually means labor will begin between the next day or up to two weeks!!

Sorry guys, hate to disappoint ya'll but I've been "nesting" for two months. Unfortunately there's nothing unusual about what's going on today - always have strange sleep patterns and since I found out I was pregnant I've been nuts about a clean house, lol.

Trust me, I have an entire book shelf (I'm not kidding) full of every pregnancy book ever written...from all the "What to expect" series to Dr. Spock, Jennie McCarthy, "Girlfriend's Guide" etc. I know all the supposed signs and triggers for labor - but this little guy is simply NOT interested, lol!!!

When I think about the fact that my real dude date could have been more like the 17th than the 7th it becomes evident that I could easily be pregnant for another two weeks...scuse please while I go bang my head against the wall.

I love being pregnant, I'm not terribly uncomfortable or anything like that - it's just that I was so mentally psyched up for this little guy to come during the induction that the thought of now being in an endless waiting abyss is really driving me mad.

Awwww Emily, soon....very soon!
Blessings, TD

Maybe he wants to come on christmas day...a little pressie all for you....its hard I know, but worth the wait....

actually I'll tell you something funny, when I was pregnant with my son, on his due day, I went to the post office in this little town we were living in. The town gossip was there, and here was I, like you Em fully over being pregnant and just wanting the bubba and she said to me "have you had the baby yet"....I just looked at her and said "yep he's at home".....d'oh....I was so over everyone asking about the baby and "being" pregnant....I just wanted to be me and a baby and hers was one stupid inquiry too many....

yep it'll be soon...as WR said she hasnt seen one pregnancy not end and neither have I....hang in there

Maybe he wants to come on christmas day...a little pressie all for you....its hard I know, but worth the wait....

actually I'll tell you something funny, when I was pregnant with my son, on his due day, I went to the post office in this little town we were living in. The town gossip was there, and here was I, like you Em fully over being pregnant and just wanting the bubba and she said to me "have you had the baby yet"....I just looked at her and said "yep he's at home".....d'oh....I was so over everyone asking about the baby and "being" pregnant....I just wanted to be me and a baby and hers was one stupid inquiry too many....

yep it'll be soon...as WR said she hasnt seen one pregnancy not end and neither have I....hang in there

LOL @ that woman. Yes, when I was teaching kids would come up to me after the weekend and ask if I had the baby - my stomach still out the wazzoo and me only being gone for the weekend, but...yea, that's kids for you. I can't believe that lady said that, what a horrid person!

I keep getting text messages from people who assume I had the baby and didn't tell them, they even get a bit rude about it. I feel like telling them to go shove it...grrrr!

you tell em then girlfriend...who are they to be upset...you're the one who had to go through it all

On that note, you know when you are in labour, you are so powerful....and it really is one of the few times you can be whatever you want....I was a yelling banshee when i had Zac, so much for the mellow herbal hippie having a homebirth...you dont get much more powerful than a woman pushing a baby out....I had everyone running round getting things and shutting the dog up, coz she howled with every contraction...it could explain why zac is so mellow, he was born into chaos. His sister, who had the most peaceful dolphin like entry into the world, is so highly strung.

Em, I hope you are also taking time to nap. Get all the naps you can in now because it will be a long time before you will ever get that chance again. :)

Em, I hope you are also taking time to nap. Get all the naps you can in now because it will be a long time before you will ever get that chance again. :)

Kat,

This, along with "enjoy your husband now because it will be another 20 years before you'll ever be alone with him again" are probably the top two things that moms say to mommies-to-be which totally freaks them out and sends them into a panic.

I know that no one means it like that - but I'm sure there must be someone on earth who had a child and still managed to sleep for a few hours a day, take a shower, and not have a horrible relationship with their spouse! That person MUST exist some where!

Eek!

Kat,

This, along with "enjoy your husband now because it will be another 20 years before you'll ever be alone with him again" are probably the top two things that moms say to mommies-to-be which totally freaks them out and sends them into a panic.

I know that no one means it like that - but I'm sure there must be someone on earth who had a child and still managed to sleep for a few hours a day, take a shower, and not have a horrible relationship with their spouse! That person MUST exist some where!

Eek!

I managed to nap: I simply slept when the baby did! *Everybody* said to clean, ect while the baby slept. Nope. I slept too. If hubby thought the house needed more cleaning beyond what I managed to do, I just handed him the dustcloth and the vacuum.

As to showering, it was pretty much a given that as soon as the water went on, the baby started crying. So late in the afternoon I would express a bottle and when daddy came home he got the bottle and the baby and I got a shower. I got clean, daddy got bonding time, and baby learned to nurse on a bottle in case the need would arise.

By the way, #2 was due 8/16 and induced on 9/5 only because I suddenly gained 5 pounds in 1 day after not gaining a pound in 2 months.

I'm sure there must be someone on earth who had a child and still managed to sleep for a few hours a day, take a shower, and not have a horrible relationship with their spouse! That person MUST exist some where!

NOPE! Sorry, she doesn't exist. :D But if you are the first, maybe you can be in the Guinness World Records! :eek:

Wishing you the best! :)

I'm thinking Abdullah is going to come out with college degree in hand! :)






j/k ;) He'll be along soon. Best wishes for Eid and for New Year's.

Waving....over here!!!
Em, I slept every night b/c Myan slept with me and I breast fed.
She woke up, I'd roll over and feed her and we'd both go back to sleep.
Of course, I was fortunate that she was an easy baby too.
She had colic one time for maybe a few hours....that's it.
Don't worry people....am getting paid back now that she's almost 13 :rolleyes:

Kat,

This, along with "enjoy your husband now because it will be another 20 years before you'll ever be alone with him again" are probably the top two things that moms say to mommies-to-be which totally freaks them out and sends them into a panic.

I know that no one means it like that - but I'm sure there must be someone on earth who had a child and still managed to sleep for a few hours a day, take a shower, and not have a horrible relationship with their spouse! That person MUST exist some where!

Eek!
It's not that bad. But it's still good advice. Sleep while you can. You don't want to go into labor already tired, because those first few days you hardly get any sleep - even when there is time. There's too much excitement, worry about the baby when he is sleeping (listening for his breathing), the feedings, recovery discomfort keeping you awake, etc.

The old sayings DO have a bit of truth to them - that's where they come from.

Since I had Kierney I shower a lot less. I get out a lot less. I get lovin' a lot less. (Sniffs...maybe if I showered more...LOL) And I'm tired a lot more.

Not gonna lie to you! :no:

But it's all worth it - you get used to it, too! :yes: But some people find the change of lifestyle quite a shock. Better to be prepared and expecting the worst and then feel better about it all when it's not as bad as you expected! :D

Kat,

This, along with "enjoy your husband now because it will be another 20 years before you'll ever be alone with him again" are probably the top two things that moms say to mommies-to-be which totally freaks them out and sends them into a panic.

I know that no one means it like that - but I'm sure there must be someone on earth who had a child and still managed to sleep for a few hours a day, take a shower, and not have a horrible relationship with their spouse! That person MUST exist some where!

Eek!

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you, but it's words of advice from someone who knows. Your sleep cycle won't be the same again for a long time.

Even if you can nap when the baby is napping, if you are like me, you will sleep lightly because you'll be listening for him.

I know it's very good advice...but I just think there is no way to "bank up" on sleep before a baby comes. It all sounds good after the fact, but the reality is that our bodies will stick to their regular schedule - so sleeping 12 hours a day is not going to happen simply b/c my mind knows that I'll one day wish I had.

As for being rested before labor, yea right! Most likely I will be induced again which means several days in the hospital. No matter what I do, I can not sleep in the hospital. People always say "if you're tired enough you'll eventually sleep"...nope, not I. I will get very sick, throw up, have terrible migraines, go absolutely out of my mind...but I won't sleep no matter how much I want to or try to.

I think that's kind of what had me freaked out in the hospital this last time. I was working on three days of no sleep, with who knows how many more days of attempted induction ahead of me, plus labor, plus delivery, plus being a new mommy...I just couldn't imagine going through all that after like 6 days of no sleep! I am sooooooo praying that I go into labor on my own so that I don't have to worry so much about being sleep deprived BEFORE the birth! Yikes!

Kat, by the way...I totally know you are saying everything for the sake of my best interest and I appreciate the advice! My mom keeps telling me to sleep too!

I'm thinking Abdullah is going to come out with college degree in hand! :)

Think of all the money you wil save, Emily!!! :rofl:

I know it's very good advice...but I just think there is no way to "bank up" on sleep before a baby comes. It all sounds good after the fact, but the reality is that our bodies will stick to their regular schedule - so sleeping 12 hours a day is not going to happen simply b/c my mind knows that I'll one day wish I had.

As for being rested before labor, yea right! Most likely I will be induced again which means several days in the hospital. No matter what I do, I can not sleep in the hospital. People always say "if you're tired enough you'll eventually sleep"...nop